Peoria IL vs Richmond VA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Peoria, IL
Illinois · Population: 11,626
- Median HH Income$83,102
- Median Home Price$132,671
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+27.6%
Richmond, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Peoria
11,626
Richmond
227,595
Richmond +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Peoria
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Peoria
33.1
Peoria +
Richmond
34.5
Foreign Born
Peoria
12.6%
Peoria +
Richmond
8.6%
White
Peoria
59.6%
Peoria +
Richmond
43.2%
Black
Peoria
4.7%
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Asian
Peoria
1.6%
Richmond
2.1%
Richmond +
Hispanic
Peoria
37.0%
Peoria +
Richmond
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Peoria
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,626 | 227,595 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 34.5 | Peoria + |
| Foreign Born | 12.6% | 8.6% | Peoria + |
| White | 59.6% | 43.2% | Peoria + |
| Black | 4.7% | 42.0% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 2.1% | Richmond + |
| Hispanic | 37.0% | 10.3% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Peoria
$83,102
Peoria +
Richmond
$62,671
Per Capita Income
Peoria
$33,805
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Peoria
$68,110
Richmond
$69,581
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
Peoria
4.8%
Peoria +
Richmond
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Peoria
8.2%
Peoria +
Richmond
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Peoria
27.6%
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,102 | $62,671 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,805 | $44,249 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $69,581 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 6.0% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.2% | 18.8% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.6% | 44.1% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Richmond
$374,265
Homeownership Rate
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +
Richmond
43.5%
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $132,671 | $374,265 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.5% | 43.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Peoria
344
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Peoria
1842
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 240 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1726 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Peoria
36.2%
Peoria +
Richmond
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Peoria
13.5%
Richmond
12.3%
Richmond +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Peoria
17.8%
Peoria +
Richmond
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Peoria
9.3%
Peoria +
Richmond
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Peoria
16.2%
Richmond
16.2%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Peoria
15.1%
Richmond
13.9%
Richmond +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 36.7% | Peoria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.3% | Richmond + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.8% | Peoria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 10.7% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.2% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 13.9% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Peoria
N/A
Richmond
58.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Peoria
38.0 in
Peoria +
Richmond
43.6 in
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.0 in | 43.6 in | Peoria + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Peoria
9.4 µg/m³
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Richmond +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Peoria
55.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Richmond +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Richmond + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Peoria
34.4 min
Richmond
23.6 min
Richmond +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.4 min | 23.6 min | Richmond + |
Which City is Right for You?
Peoria leads in median household income at $83,102, while peoria offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $132,671. On public safety, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Peoria. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Peoria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Peoria, ILLos Angeles, CA vs Peoria, ILChicago, IL vs Peoria, ILHouston, TX vs Peoria, ILPeoria, IL vs Phoenix, AZPeoria, IL vs Philadelphia, PA